Ori and the Will of the Wisps Reviews
At its best, Ori and the Will of the Wisps has the area design and pacing of an unforgettable platformer, and the ways it improves on its predecessor are every bit as welcome as they are subtle. Every so often, however, it forgets how to keep that momentum up and instead throws a gimmicky chase sequence or annoying area gimmick into the mix to slow you down.
A haunting journey through a woodland with a real sense of place, but its breadth of mechanics silts up the pacing. Phil Iwaniuk
Ori and the Will of the Wisps plays it too safe, but there's fun to be had. Engaging platforming and improved combat make up for uninspired enemy design and a much too self-serious tone.
Ori and the Will of the Wisps on Nintendo Switch is not the best way to play this emotional, magical adventure but it is an impressive feat of engineering that mostly works well.
The Ori and the Will of the Wisps Switch port is a game where it not only fits perfectly on the system, but works in sublime ways you would never expect.
It leaves Will of the Wisps in a strange position – on the one hand, basically every element of the game is either equivalent to or superior to its predecessor, meaning that if I had to choose between playing one or the other, I’d take this one at every opportunity. But at the same time, the experience of playing Blind Forest for the first time was much more striking, leaving me with fonder memories of the first game despite the fact that I think it wasn’t as good.
If you’re looking for a heart-wrenching game that will test your stress levels while bringing a tear to your eye, then this game is for you.
Ori and the Will of the Wisps maintains the same compelling ethos as its prequel. Major changes to the series most tedious and most unique are for better and for worst.
Ori and the Blind Forest was a rare gem. Combining an emotionally charged story, with beautiful visuals, and challenging gameplay. Tethering everything together was the passionate soundtrack that invoked feelings of both sadness and love. Ori and the Will of the Wisps take every concept of the original game and builds on it. Providing the same exceptional atmosphere and Metroidvania gameplay. But with improved combat mechanics, more engaging optional missions, and a deeply passionate story and soundtrack that rivals Ori and the Blind Forest. Ori and the Will of the Wisps is an outstanding sequel that both challenges and dazzles the player with its enchanting musical score and remarkable visuals. It's a shame that the most major thing holding it back is the technical problems.
Ori and the Will of the Wisps would be a masterpiece of an experience; one that you could describe as a perfect example of a game as art, held back by some technical issues.
the Wisps is more than the sum of its parts. Is it just another Metroid homage, one among many? Absolutely. I think it’s one of the best-playing, sure, but it’s still well-trod territory of late.
The game improves upon its predecessor, and finds new ways to demonstrate their shared eco-friendly themes.
Ori and the Will of the Wisps is one of the most beautiful games you will play this year. Every stage is a visual and artistic masterpiece, and Gareth Coker's brillant soundtrack is the most delicious cherry on the cake. Unfortunately, the game still suffers from technical flaws, which have yet to be definitely fixed.
Review in French | Read full review
Ori and the Will of the Wisps does everything that a good sequel is supposed to do. It refines The Blind Forest's mechanics, expands on the world, and throws in a whole bunch of new moves and concepts. But in an era that's rich with "emotional platformers," Will of the Wisps doesn't do anything to make itself stand out. It's a fine, if not forgettable, experience.
Ori and the Will of the Wisps is aesthetically brilliant and offers familiar challenges with a new twist. An expansive world filled with interactive NPCs gives you plenty of game for your buck, making this a must for newbies and die-hards alike. Implementation of anticipated patches would bump this score up to a 9.
Ori and the Will of the Wisps is an incredibly beautiful game with a rather weak plot and unpleasant technical errors, which can give you more than ten hours of meditative and very diverse gameplay. Given the lack of competitors this year, it is the best representative of the genre.
Review in Russian | Read full review
Moon Studios doesn't necessarily break new ground with Ori and the Will of the Wisps and that's OK. The additions that have been made improve on the experience, eventhough it's hard to be as impressed as we were the first time around.
We are living in the golden age of metroidvanias and Will of the Wisps will deserve to stand with the best of the bunch should its technical shortcomings be resolved.
Will of the Wisps doesn’t jump as high as Ori and the Blind Forest and falls in a few extra pits yet it is still a worthy enough successor.